How to Play Scramble
A scramble is a team golf format where everyone tees off, the group plays the best shot, and everyone hits again from that spot — repeating until the ball is holed. It's the most forgiving, most beginner-friendly game in golf, which is exactly why every charity outing runs one. Here's how it works.
What's the deal?
Scramble is the format of choice for charity tournaments, corporate outings, and any group with mixed skill levels. Everyone on the team tees off, you pick the best shot, and everyone plays their next shot from that spot. Do it again. Repeat until the ball drops.
Nobody gets left behind and nobody has a blow-up hole that ruins their day. If your buddy hasn't swung a club in three years, suggest a scramble — they'll still contribute a putt or two, and they'll actually have fun.
Setting the stakes: a scramble produces one low team score, so the simplest bet is a buy-in pot split among teams — everyone throws in $10–$20 and the lowest net team takes it. For more action, run it as a two-team match and stack a Nassau on the team scores.
How to play Scramble
- 1All players tee off. Walk to the best ball and mark the spot.
- 2Everyone hits again from that spot (within a club length, no closer to the hole).
- 3Pick the best shot again. Repeat until the ball is holed.
- 4Count how many locations you played from — that's your team score for the hole.
- 5Lowest team score after 18 wins. Settle the pot or the match at the 19th.
Now Grab the Hat.
Wear it to the outing, run the scramble, and look the part doing it.
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